The London Marathon starts around Blackheath and Greenwich and finishes on The Mall in central London, so choosing where to stay is not as simple as finding a hotel close to the start.
Some runners prefer to stay near Blackheath or Greenwich to reduce travel on race morning. Others choose a more central area such as London Bridge, Charing Cross, Westminster or the City of London, with good public transport to the start and a more convenient journey back after the race.
In this guide, we compare the best areas to stay for the London Marathon, looking at race-morning transport, access to the different start areas and what the journey back is like after you finish.
Already know which area you prefer? See our Best Hotels for the London Marathon guide for our recommended hotels and apartments for runners.
Next edition: 24 – 25 April 2027
Best Areas for the London Marathon
Because the London Marathon starts in southeast London and finishes in the city centre, the best area depends on what you want to make easier: getting to the start or getting back after the race.
BEST FOR STAYING NEAR THE START
Blackheath & Greenwich
Stay close to the start areas and reduce race-morning travel, especially if your assigned Start Assembly Area is nearby.
BEST FOR DIRECT TRAINS TO THE START
London Bridge
Direct trains to Blackheath, Maze Hill and Greenwich make this a practical base for race morning.
BEST AFTER THE FINISH
Trafalgar Square & Charing Cross
Stay close to the Horse Guards Meet & Greet area, with Charing Cross nearby for race-morning trains.
BEST CENTRAL ALTERNATIVE
Waterloo & Westminster
Stay centrally near Waterloo Station, with good race-morning transport and the post-race area within walking distance.
BEST FOR TRANSPORT CHOICE
City of London
Several stations offer useful connections towards the start, while St Paul’s and the Thames are also close by.
The 2027 London Marathon will take place over two days, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April. Runners are assigned a Start Assembly Area around Blackheath and Greenwich, with different recommended stations depending on their allocation.
When comparing the areas below, we consider both race-morning transport to the start and the journey back after the finish.
1. Blackheath & Greenwich – Best for Staying Near the Start
Blackheath and Greenwich are the most practical areas if your priority is staying close to the London Marathon start. The different Start Assembly Areas are spread around this part of southeast London, so your exact race-morning route depends on your allocation.
Both areas have a very different feel from central London. Greenwich has more restaurants, attractions and transport connections, while Blackheath has a quieter, more residential atmosphere. The main trade-off is after the race, when you will need to travel back from central London.
OUR TAKE
Choose Blackheath or Greenwich if reducing race-morning travel matters more to you than having the shortest journey back after the finish.
Runners prioritising the start · Quieter stay
Close to the Start Assembly Areas, with the exact route depending on your allocation.
Expect a longer journey back from central London after leaving the Meet & Greet area.
Historic and relaxed, with Greenwich offering more restaurants and sightseeing.
££–£££
2. London Bridge – Best for Direct Trains to the Start
London Bridge is one of the most practical areas for runners who want to stay centrally without making the journey to the start complicated. London Bridge Station has direct train connections to Blackheath, Maze Hill and Greenwich, giving you useful options for the different Start Assembly Areas.
The area also works well after the marathon. Westminster is only a short Tube ride away, while Charing Cross has direct Southeastern trains to London Bridge. You also have Borough Market, the Thames and plenty of restaurants within walking distance.
OUR TAKE
Choose London Bridge if you want straightforward trains to the start without giving up convenient access to central London after the race.
Easy start access · Central stay
Direct trains to Blackheath, Maze Hill and Greenwich, depending on your assigned Start Assembly Area.
Direct trains from Charing Cross (7 min.) or a short Tube journey from Westminster (4 min.) towards London Bridge.
Lively and central, with Borough Market, the Thames and major London sights nearby.
££–£££
3. Trafalgar Square & Charing Cross – Best After the Finish
Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross are particularly convenient for runners who prefer to travel to the start in the morning and stay closer to the post-race area. After finishing on The Mall, runners continue through the secured finish area before reaching the Meet & Greet area around Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and Horse Guards Road.
Charing Cross Station also provides useful connections towards the start on race morning. You will have a longer journey before the race than if you stay in Blackheath or Greenwich, but once you have finished, your hotel could be within a relatively short walk of the Meet & Greet area.
OUR TAKE
Choose Trafalgar Square & Charing Cross if you are happy to travel farther to the start in the morning in exchange for a shorter journey back to your hotel after the marathon.
Shorter post-race journey · Central location
Charing Cross offers train connections towards the stations used for the different Start Assembly Areas.
Around 5–15 minutes on foot from the Horse Guards Meet & Greet area (after finish), depending on your hotel location.
Busy and very central, with Trafalgar Square, The Strand and the Thames nearby.
£££–££££
4. Waterloo & Westminster – Best Central Alternative
Waterloo and Westminster offer a useful combination of race-morning transport and post-race access. From Waterloo East, Blackheath can be reached directly in around 17 minutes, while Greenwich and Maze Hill take around 25 minutes with a change. This makes the area a practical central alternative to staying near the start.
After the marathon, many hotels around Westminster and Waterloo are still within a manageable walk or short journey from the Horse Guards Meet & Greet area. The South Bank, Westminster and the Thames are also nearby, making this a convenient base if you are spending a few extra days in London.
OUR TAKE
Choose Waterloo & Westminster if you want good access to the start without giving up a convenient central location after the race.
Central location · Good race-day connections
Direct train from Waterloo East to Blackheath in around 17 minutes, with Greenwich and Maze Hill around 25 minutes with a change.
Around 15–25 minutes on foot from the Horse Guards Meet & Greet area, depending on your hotel location.
Central and lively, with the South Bank, Westminster and the Thames nearby.
££–£££
5. City of London – Best for Transport Choice
The City of London gives runners several options for travelling towards the start. Depending on where you stay, Cannon Street, Bank and City Thameslink can all be useful, making this area less dependent on one particular station or route.
The City is farther from the post-race area than Trafalgar Square or Westminster, but getting back is still manageable. From Westminster or Embankment, the Underground takes around 7–8 minutes to the City, while some hotels can also be reached on foot in around 25–35 minutes or more.
OUR TAKE
Choose the City of London if you want a central base with several transport options to the start and a manageable journey back after the marathon.
Multiple transport options · Central stay
Several stations provide useful routes towards the start, including Cannon Street, Bank and City Thameslink.
Around 7–8 minutes by Tube from Westminster or Embankment, or roughly 25–35+ minutes on foot, depending on your hotel.
Historic and central, with St Paul’s Cathedral, the Thames and the Square Mile nearby.
££–£££
Choosing the Right Area for Your London Marathon Stay
We selected these areas with the London Marathon in mind. Rather than simply focusing on London’s most popular neighbourhoods, we looked at the practical details that matter to runners travelling to the start and returning after the finish.
Know your Start Assembly Area
Runners are assigned a Start Assembly Area around Blackheath and Greenwich. The recommended station and route on race morning depend on your allocation, so check your official race information before travelling.
Don’t focus only on the start
Staying in Blackheath or Greenwich can reduce race-morning travel, but your marathon finishes on The Mall in central London. A central hotel can mean travelling farther in the morning but having an easier journey back afterwards.
Look at the nearest station
In London, the exact location of your hotel can matter as much as the area itself. Staying near stations such as London Bridge, Charing Cross, Waterloo East or Cannon Street can make race-morning travel much easier.
Think about the journey after 42.2 km
After finishing, runners continue through the secured finish area before reaching the Meet & Greet area around Horse Guards and Whitehall. Consider how far you will need to walk or travel from there to your hotel.
Found the area that suits you? See our recommended London Marathon hotels for different budgets and runner needs, with practical information on start access, transport and the journey back after the race.
